Martiny’s
Gramercy, New York City
Bar in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Measured Craft, Flatiron Footing
Why go
For 2026 New York cocktail planning, Martiny's is worth targeting if drinks are the point of the night and the group is small enough to handle a harder booking. Do not treat it as a dinner substitute unless the current food offering fits your plan; this is a cocktail-first pick with major bar recognition.
About Martiny’s
Martiny's is a New York City bar with notable recognition. Honors include World's 50 Best Bars #24 (2024), Top 500 Bars Best Bars #73 (2025), World's 50 Best North America's Best Bars #15 (2025), North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, Tales Spirited Awards Best U.S. Cocktail Bar Top 10, Pearl Recommended Bar (2025).
The ideal way to evaluate Martiny's is by fit rather than by assumptions about menus, seating, or service format. It is a recognized bar with a smart casual dress code, but details such as a full dining format, named dishes, pricing, hours, reservation rules, outdoor seating, take-out or delivery are best checked directly. Readers looking for a meal-first plan should use Our full New York City restaurants guide instead.
Go for the bar recognition, not an assumption-heavy dining agenda
The practical angle here is simple: do not plan around dinner expectations unless the current offering has been checked directly through the venue's own channels. Martiny's is a recognized New York City bar, any food, seating, or timing details should be confirmed before making it the anchor of an evening.
For a first visit, keep the plan grounded in what is known: Martiny's is in New York City, has a smart casual dress code, carries notable bar recognition. If the group wants to compare other New York City bar options, scan Our full New York City bars guide before committing. If the evening is part of a larger trip, pair that with Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City experiences guide, Our full New York City wineries guide for the rest of the itinerary.
Better for a recognition-led bar plan than an assumption-heavy itinerary
Martiny's is easiest to understand as a New York City bar with confirmed recognition. For comparison, other venues to research include Craft New York, Guardian at the W, Hidden Lane Bar, Old Town Bar, Pete's Tavern. Those comparisons can help clarify whether the night should center on Martiny's or on a different kind of outing.
Quick reference: choose Martiny's when a smart casual, recognition-backed New York City bar is the goal. Do not rely on claims about exact seating, booking difficulty, happy hour, outdoor space, named dishes, or a specific dining format without checking directly with the venue.
Planning details
- Location
- 121 E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
- Reservations
- Book on Resy
- Website
- martinys.com
- Phone
- +1 917-472-7393
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Martiny's reads as a high-profile cocktail destination in Manhattan, a bar whose steady ascent through multiple respected industry rankings signals serious craft and consistency. Located in the Union Square corridor, it pairs an intimate room with a meticulous program that draws repeated attention from professional evaluators. The editorial emphasis on the wine angle suggests an establishment that balances cocktail creativity with wine-minded depth, creating an elegant, focused atmosphere for visitors who appreciate detail and provenance. Overall, Martiny's projects the confidence of a modern, celebrated bar while retaining a measured, refined presence rather than flashy spectacle.
Best For
Martiny's is best for evenings when the drink program is the main event: date nights, special occasions, and outings for cocktail and wine enthusiasts who want a concentrated, high-caliber experience. Its recognition on global and North American lists positions it as a destination stop for visitors and locals seeking elevated service and thoughtfully composed drinks. The focus on a wine dimension inside a cocktail-bar framework also makes it appealing to groups or couples who want to explore both inventive cocktails and a curated wine selection in one refined setting.
Ordering Tips
Given the bar's dual emphasis on cocktails and a highlighted wine program, ask the staff about current wine-focused offerings and any cocktail pours that incorporate or pair with those selections. With Martiny's reputation for a disciplined, award-recognized program, lean on the bartender's recommendations and inquire about seasonal or signature preparations rather than defaulting to classics. If you have a particular wine interest—varietal, region, or style—mention it when ordering; the team's recognition suggests they are prepared to guide thoughtful pairings and curated pours.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and refined with exposed brick, warm wood, soft jazz, and intimate lighting across three levels.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Soft Jazz
Signature Pours
- Caprese
- Tea Ceremony
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Guardian at the W, cocktails and small bites (rooftop bar), cocktails and small bites (rooftop bar)
- Pete's Tavern, Notable alternative
- Hidden Lane Bar, Notable alternative
- Old Town Bar, Notable alternative
- Craft New York, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares with nearby New York choices
Against Guardian at the W, Martiny's is the stronger pick for a cocktail-focused night where recognition and bar craft matter more than skyline energy. Guardian at the W makes more sense for guests who want a rooftop setting with cocktails and small bites, especially when ambiance is the point. If the group is split between drinks and views, Guardian is the easier crowd-pleaser; if the group came for the bar itself, Martiny's is the sharper choice.
Pete's Tavern and Old Town Bar are better alternatives when value, casual pacing, or group comfort matter more than cocktail awards. They are the safer calls for a relaxed New York drinking plan, while Martiny's asks for more commitment and rewards a more focused visit. Hidden Lane Bar sits closer to the neighborhood-drinks lane, useful if the night needs less ceremony.
Craft New York is the better cross-shop when food is a real part of the decision. If dinner matters, start there and add drinks after. If the bar is the event, Martiny's is the higher-conviction choice, with the tradeoff that booking difficulty and flexibility are less forgiving.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Martiny’s guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Martiny’s
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martiny’s | New York City | ; | 2026 North America's 50 Best Bars · #23Top 500 Bars 2026 · #73Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar - Best U.S. Cocktail Bar (Top 10 Nominee)2025 North America's 50 Best Bars · #152025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #602025 World's 50 Best Bars · #752025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #182024 World's 50 Best Bars · #24 |
| Guardian at the W | New York City | cocktails and small bites (rooftop bar) | No published awards |
| Pete's Tavern | New York City | No published awards | ; |
| Hidden Lane Bar | New York City | No published awards | ; |
| Old Town Bar | New York City | No published awards | ; |
| Craft New York | New York City | No published awards | ; |
How Martiny's New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Martiny's have outdoor seating?
Martiny's is in New York City, guests who require outdoor seating should check directly with the venue before planning around it. Pete's Tavern is another option to research for a different kind of outing.
Do I need a reservation at Martiny's?
Martiny's has confirmed recognition including World's 50 Best Bars #24 (2024) and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #73 (2025), so planning ahead is sensible, but guests should check the venue's current booking guidance directly. Guardian at the W is another option to compare when planning a bar night.
Is Martiny's good for groups?
Does Martiny's have happy hour deals?
The grounded draw is its recognition profile, including Pearl Recommended Bar (2025), World's 50 Best Bars #24 (2024), and Top 500 Bars Best Bars #73 (2025). If value is the priority, compare current details with Craft New York and other options before deciding.
